Connector operating devices



Sept.

imi

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 5, 1962 INVENTOR EDWARD C. UBERBACHER ATTORNEY Sept. 2%,, 1965 E. c. UBERBACHER 3,209,302

CONNECTOR OPERATING DEVICES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 5, 1962 p 1965 E. c. UBERBACHER 3,209,302

CONNECTOR OPERATING DEVICES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 5, 1962 United States Patent 3,209,302 CONNECTOR OPERATING DEVICES Edward C. Uberbachcr, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., assiguor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 5, 1962, Ser. No. 235,261 12 Claims. (Cl. 339-45) This invention is concerned generally with an improved form of multiple contact connector and more particularly with devices for quickly and surely connecting and disconnecting a plurality of flexible wiping contacts arranged in a pair of mating connector blocks.

An object of the invention is to provide a fast operating, economical and reilable device for connecting contact containing blocks.

When a substantial number of contacts are to be forcibly joined or separated, quite an amount of force is required and yet extending levers are to be avoided for the sake of appearance as well as to save time of operation. The present screw latch devices provide a quick, easy and sure way of operating a connector. Some of the common faults in devices for connecting multiple contact blocks are looseness and rocking of a block and imperfection or inoperativeness of latching because tolerances of a multiplicity of parts mount up in one direction to either prevent latching or make it so loose as to be ineffective. Another fault is the use of expensive parts which are difficult to machine and assemble. All of these faults are avoided by the screw latching means of the present invention which in its simplicity avoids inoperative tolerance buildup while providing inexpensive parts easy to assemble and replace.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved type of connecting means involving screw and nut latching means for mating contact blocks. A pair of plastic blocks is formed with sets of related openings containing thin flexible contacts formed to provide mutual wiping and contact faces. Separate wires enter into blocks and are connected to the pairs of flexible contacts. The blocks are fitted into strong outer frames which not only protect the plastic blocks but also furnish anchorage for strain relief clamps for the cables bringing the sets of wires in and out of the connection.

Both blocks are formed with similar central openings and attached to the center of one block is a fixed nut on a plate, the other block opening contains a plate with a screw thereon in a keyed bearing to make it loose and free for rotation movement but fixed axially relative to the block. When the screw and nut halves are brought together, and the screw rotated by a manipulative knob, the threads engage to hold the blocks together and force all mating contacts together. When the knob is rotated in a reverse direction, the contact blocks are drawn apart in a quick positive manner.

Another object of the invention is the provision of framing members for separable blocks made of bent sheet metal construction which is both inexpensive and strong. A frame is formed with extensions to secure cable strain relief clamps independent of an outer shroud cover or hood which may be separately removed, thus giving access to the entire array of contacts and wires thereon associated with a cable end while mated with the other contact block or when separated therefrom.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a screw and nut form of latching mechanism for connecting contact containing blocks. These direct-acting screw and nut operators avoid tolerance buildup found in other forms of latching means. A further advantage of the single central form of screw and nut connection resides in the avoidance of many movable interior objects such 3,209,302 Patented Sept. 28, 1965 as springs and cams found in other latching means which have troublesome aspects due to chafing against wires in some areas and scraping of the insulation thereon tending to cause short circuits.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a form of connector mechanism which is adapted for rapid operation due to the provision of one or more screw threads in a screw and nut combination for acting as a closing means between two mating connector blocks. By the use of multiple threads it is possible to accelerate the joining of the blocks by a quick twisting motion of a knob.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of interchangeable or universal connector halves in a connector so that separate screw or nut portions of a block assembly are optionally related in a combination of cable end to a machine end or vice versa, or changeable from a machine to machine connection to a connection involving cable to cable.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation view of the assembled connector blocks.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a contact block with its latching screw, a receiving frame therefor, and a cover or hood.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a machine frame bracket with a stationary contact block assembled therein.

FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view showing a removable block nut and how it is assembled centrally on a contact block.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view showing a pair of cable ends with block assembly devices of the present invention used with cable to cable interchangeability.

The present invention involves improvements in the framing and latching of multiple contact connectors of the type shown in US. Patent 3,052,863 so that such devices are more economical, reliable and serviceable. The device of the patent is seen to require heavy castings, an integral hood, and several movable interior latching parts such as a cam, hook and spring. This is improved as disclosed herein by using light-weight economical framing and a separable access revealing hood of plastic or sheet metal and a simple screw and nut latching means which avoids the chafing action of the insulation abrading parts of the prior art.

In FIGS. 1 and 3 it is seen that a fixed square box or bracket 21 is attached at one end to a machine frame or wall 20. Bracket 21 holds one of a pair of contact containing blocks fastened therein. The right side of bracket 21 (FIG. 3) is open to receive the removable shroud or cover 22 (FIG. 1) containing the second half of two contact containing blocks 23 and 24 shown in FIG. 1 and there clearly represented as designed to nest together to bring respective contacts 25 and 26 of a related pair into wiping engagement.

Cover 22, FIG. 2, is formed with a pair of assembly notches 28 and an opening 29 to fit over a screw latch knob. A lightweight metal or plastic is the substance of which cover 22 may be composed.

Block 24 is seen to be formed with side extensions or alignment ribs 30 and similar end ribs 31.. These ribs fit snugly into a groove 32 formed around the inner edges of the U shaped frame 33 which is of formed sheet metal or a light metal extrusion and comprises the main support and carrier for block 24. The lower part of frame 33 is formed with two tabs 34 which serve as means to secure a strain relief clamp half 35 to which an outer formed with a pair of tapped corner holes 48.

half clamp 36 may be screwed to clamp one or more cables C. As noted in FIG. 5, the angularity of tabs 34 may be complemented by the angularity of clamp half 35 or the latter angularity may be used to augment the angle of entrance of cable C, to bring the cable in at an angle instead of normal to the block edge. A pair of small cables is found more flexible than one large cable and the device is to be used interchangeably according to the need for certain degrees of flexibility.

At the top of FIG. 2, block 24 is seen to carry a screw 38 formed on the end of a shaft 39 carrying a grooved hand knob 40. This screw shaft 39 is keyed into the block 24 to be free for rotation but confined axially by means of a grooved shoulder 41 on the shaft but rotatable in a key plate 42 to which the shaft is keyed. The key is a lock washer 37 snapped into a ring groove in shoulder 41. Each contact block, such as block 24, is formed with a square opening 43 which contains a pair of corner bosses 44 integral with the block and threaded for a pair of screws 45 which thread into the bushing or key plate 42 and secure it in the central block opening 43.

In cooperation with screw end 38, FIGS. 1 and 4, is a female receiving structure or nut 46 secured to block 23 as best shown in FIG. 4. There it is seen that nut 46 is integral with, and perpendicular to, a square plate 47 These holes 48 match in position the holes in the corner bosses 44 previously noted as being on the male half block 24 and now noted as being universal also to block 23 which is similar in all interior proportions, except as to the parts assembled thereon. In FIG. 4, the dot and dash lines show how the plate 47 is to be assembled inside the block opening 43 and rest on bosses 44 and be secured therein by a pair of screws 45 extending through the bosses and threaded into tapped holes 48.

FIG. 3 shows how a block 23 containing the nut 46 is assembled inside the bracket 21 in readiness to meet the screw half of the connector. To aid in seating and holding the block 23 inside bracket 21, the inside of the bracket is formed with four corner arcuate extensions 50 which confine the rounded corners of block 23. A set of screws 51 (FIG. 1) serve to hold block 23 onto bracket 21 and other screws 52 (FIG. 3) secure the bracket 21 onto the machine frame 20. Bracket 21 is notched at 53 to provide room for cable entry and strain relief clamps. Feature 46 may be a fixed screw rather than a nut and thus be suited to mate with a portable nut half connector.

In the foregoing sections of this specification it is explained with reference to FIG. 2 how the screw-containing half connector block 24 is assembled as a portable cable end and, with reference to FIG. 3, how the nut containing half connector block 23 is assembled as a fixed machine terminal receiving end. At this point it is appropriate to note with reference to FIG. 1 how the cable end is latched or screwed onto the machine terminal end. As the block 24 is brought towards block 23 from the right, the screw end 38 encounters the right end of the nut 46. The screw end finds the nut readily because the block 24 and cover 22 as a whole is guided into position by the slider ways or ribs 55 (FIG. 3) formed on the inside walls of bracket 21.

As the knob 40 (FIG. 1) is turned to establish a quick connection of the two blocks 23-24, a formation of an indentation and ridge 56 common to both blocks, serves to further guide the blocks so that the multiple pairs of contacts 25-26 therein are brought into wiping contact and held there. A definite end stop to the movement of block 24 to the left is provided in the form of a meeting at 60 between the outer block surfaces shortly before the screw bearing 41 bottoms against the end of the nut 46.

FIG. 2 shows the shroud or cover 22 to be easily assembled on frame 33 by screws 57 engaged by notches 28. Since the large hole 29 is of a size greater than the diameter of knob 40 (FIG. 1) cover 22 may be withdrawn to the right as shown and render accessible all the wires 58 and contacts 26 in block 24 without disturbing the closed connection.

Of course the screw 38 as operated by knob 40 not only serves to bring the connector halves together by quick manual movement, it also acts with similar rapidity to unscrew or unlatch the connection with little manual effort and a few twists of the hand.

While the FIGURES 14 deal with a cable to machine form of connection, there is another modification to consider as a cable to cable connection shown in FIG. 5. There it is noted that most parts are the same as those already described, the main difference being that a nut 66 is not fixed in a plate 67 in block 23 but is loosely keyed therein by an integral bushing 65 and shaft 64 which permit rotative motion but prevent axial displacement relative to the block 23. Thus a knob 63 on shaft 64 may be manipulated to rotate nut 66, and with screw end 38 also turned by knob 40, it is easy to realize that very fast connections and disconnections are effected by joint operation of the nut and screw. Although illustrated as used to connect cable to cable it is realized that either or both ends may be machine terminal ends and any combination of machines and/or cables may be joined by contact blocks having their own manipulative means.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to limited embodiments thereof,

it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical connector comprising a pair of identical blocks containing electrical contacts to be mated,

each of said blocks being formed with a commonly proportioned central opening which contains commonly arranged securing means,

an interchangeable plate with a nut formation secured by said securing means in the opening of a first block of said pair of blocks, to face in one direction, said plate being adapted as well for securement to the second of said pair of blocks to face in the opposite direction, and

a second interchangeable plate containing a screw with a bushing keyed therein and secured by said securing means in the opening of the second block of said pair of blocks to face in one direction, said second plate being adapted as well for securement to the first of said pair of blocks to face in the opposite direction,

whereby said screw is operable from either side of said connector according to how said plates are secured and faced, and rotation of said screw in said nut serves to bring said blocks together and mate the contacts of said blocks.

2. A connector of the kind set forth in claim 1 with the one of said blocks having the plate with the nut being attached to a machine and wherein said one block is pro vided with a fixed bracket frame,

said bracket frame being formed with ribbed walls and secured to said machine and formed with an open center to provide access for wires from the inside of said machine to said contacts of said one block, and

said bracket frame being formed with corner guide and support means for said one block, a series of sets of inner guide ribs for the other block, and peripheral securing means to hold said one block in position on [said machine.

3. A connector of the kind set forth in claim 1 for use at a cable end and wherein the block to which said plate with the screw is secured is suited for use as a portable cable end block with cable wires running to the contacts of said block and wherein said screw block is provided with a portable sheet metal frame for connecting said block and cable end,

said frame being U shaped to receive and hold said screw block,

said frame being shaped further with a pair of integral angularly extending tabs, and

a cable end clamp formed with a pair of angularly extending tabs for assembly on said frame tabs in either of two positions to complement or augment the angle of the frame tabs,

whereby the cable end is clamped with the cable approaching the block either normal to one edge thereof or at an angle thereto.

4. A connector of the kind set forth in claim 3 wherein said cable end screw block is an outer block with exposed cable wire ends when connected on the inner nut block fastened to said machine,

said screw having an outer manipulative knob on the end of a screw shaft which positions said knob beyond said wire ends through which said shaft extends, and beyond the clamp for the cable end, said knob being grasped and rotated to turn said screw and mate said blocks, and

a unitary removable cover over said cable wire ends on said outer block, said cover completely encasing the outside of said outer block except for openings for said cable clamp and said knob, said cover extending outwardly substantially the same distance as the length of said screw shaft,

whereby said cover is removable as a unit to give access to said cable wire ends without requiring operation of said screw, separation of said blocks, or disturbance of said cable clamp and cable.

5. An electrical connector comprising a left-hand part and a right-hand part, each part including an identical contact block;

each of said blocks being formed with a central opening containing securing means,

a pair of identical plates each having a central aperture and secured in said openings of said blocks,

a nut mounted in the aperture of either plate, and

a screw mounted in the aperture of either plate,

whereby either a nut or a screw may be mounted in :said right-hand part block plate and the other of the nut or screw may be mounted in the left-hand part block plate to provide one of a pair of positive mechanical mating means for a pair of blocks.

6. A connector of the kind set forth in claim 5 wherein each of said securing means comprises a plurality of perforated bosses formed inside said opening to hold screws for attaching one of said plates inside said opening.

7. A connector of the kind set forth in claim 5 wherein both said screw and said nut have shafts and manipulative knobs thereon to join the two blocks rapidly.

8. A connector of the kind set forth in claim 5 wherein said blocks, plates and nuts and screws thereon, are of a form interchangeable to fixed machine frames and portable cable end frames and on either a fixed frame to receive machine wires or a portable frame to receive cable end wires,

whereby all combinations of block connections may be made as machine to machine, cable to cable, machine to cable, and cable to machine.

9. A multiple circuit connector comprising a pair of identical insulation blocks each containing a plurality of flexible mating contacts which may be brought into Wiping contact with similar contacts, each of said blocks formed centrally to receive a metal plate,

a metal plate substantially centrally mounted on each block, said plates being identical,

a pair of shafts terminating inwardly on said plates and rotatably keyed thereon,

one shaft formed with a threaded inner end and the other shaft formed with a nut formation on its inner end,

whereby said mating blocks and contacts may be brought into contact and held together by relative rotative motion of one or both of said shafts.

10. A connector of the kind set forth in claim 5 wherein said screw and nut are formed with multiple threads, whereby block mating and separation are expedited.

11. A connector of the kind set forth in claim 5 wherein each block is formed with a circumferential rib,

sheet metal holders for said blocks, said holders being formed with at least one open end within the confines of which said block is enclosed,

and one of said holders being further formed with an inner U-shaped groove forming side and end channels wherein said block rib is keyed and slid.

12. A connector of the kind set forth in claim 11 wherein said grooved holder is formed with an extending means,

a cable clamp attached to said extending means to provide a strain relief attachment for a cable end leading Wires into the related block,

and a removable cover for said cable end and block,

said cover being fastened to said holder.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 894,644 7/08 Hill 339-103 1,722,816 7/29 Meunier 339-92 2,457,119 12/48 Bour 33992 2,532,538 12/50 Burtt et al 339-45 2,948,875 8/60 Batcheller 339-48 2,964,724 12/60 Fox 339-92 X 3,052,863 9/62 Uberbacher et al. 33945 3,056,942 10/62 Carbaugh et al 339--92 FOREIGN PATENTS 950,384 10/56 Germany.

954,079 12/56 Germany.

OTHER REFERENCES Extraction and Insertion Tool for Printed Circuit Cards, from IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, by Yevchak et al., vol. 2, No. 3, page 38, October 1959.

JOSEPH D. SEERS, Primary Examiner. ALBERT H. KAMPE, Examiner, 

5. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR COMPRISING A LEFT-HAND PART AND A RIGHT-HAND PART, EACH PART INCLUDING AN IDENTICAL CONTACT BLOCK; EACH OF SAID BLOCKS BEING FORMED WITH A CENTRAL OPENING CONTAINING SECUREING MEANS, A PAIR OF IDENTICAL PLATES EACH HAVING A CENTRAL APERTURE AND SECURED IN SAID OPENINGS OF SAID BLOCKS, A NUT MOUNTED IN THE APERTURE OF EITHER PLATE, AND A SCREW MOUNTED IN THE APERTURE OF EITHER PLATE, WHEREBY EITHER A NUT OR A SCREW MAY BE MOUNTED IN SAID RIGHT-HAND PART BLOCK PLATE AND THE OTHER OF THE NUT OR SCREW MAY BE MOUNTED IN THE LEFT-HAND PART BLOCK PLATE TO PROVIDE ONE OF A PAIR OF POSITIVE MECHANICAL MATING MEANS FOR A PAIR OF BLOCKS. 